- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Bobby D "Optimistic" (SoulFuric Records CD Promo)
There are songs that will always be in our heads, no matter how old they are. "Optimistic" by Sounds of Blackness is one of these songs, dating back to 1991 when Gary Hines, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis unleashed this bomb. Three years ago, Bobby D'Ambrosio released a cover version of it on Definity Records, and now he unleashes an updated version of this timeless song once more featuring wonderfully performed vocals. His original version is a mellow and laidback affair with jazzy vibes, while Frankie C goes for an equally smooth funk-tinged interpretation that is somewhat reminiscent of the Sounds of Blackness original. Together with Brian Tappert, Bobby D'Ambrosio delivers a fierce reworking that keeps the soulful flavors while spicing it up for the dancefloors. Shik Stylko replaces the jazzy piano line with electrofied keys that get to full effect on his dub mix while on the club mix they emphasise the vocals. Lastly there is the stompin' 'Deliguori Dub Mix' that is driven by a wicked piano line.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Exclusive Preview: Panevino featuring Xavior "Don't waste my time" (CD-R)
Exclusive Preview: Panevino "The way I am" (CD-R)
Swiss duo Sandro Endrighetti and Renato Abate aka Panevino present two new productions that are so fresh they have yet to be signed. "Don't waste my time" is an uplifting track featuring an inspirational vocal by Xavior over a thumpin' groove that is enriched with a funky bassline and old-school keys (there is a slight reminiscence to the David Jospeh classic "You can't hide" in some parts) alongside a wicked organ. The dub varies the keys to turn it into a peaktime favorite. "The way I am" features an incredible hot spoken word over a fiercely stompin' groove, with the wicked keys augmenting the irresistible vibe created by the vocals.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Exclusive Preview: VMC "To the rock" (DJ Spen Mixes)(Hustle Music Records CD Promo)
The next release on Hustle Music will be an incredible gospel house production featuring the Visial Music Choir (aka VMC) from Hackney in London. Their inspirational gospel song "To the rock" has been reworked by DJ Spen who turns the song into an uplifting, soulfully stomping four-to-the-floor anthem that features a funked-up groove and wonderful jazzy keys. His dub strippes most the vocals, letting a wonderful jazzy piano taking centre stage, while the funky bassline is leading the way. A future gospel house anthem.
Omar "It's so..." (Bob Sinclar Remix)(Peppermint Jam Records CD Promo)
UK soul legend Omar will return with a new longplayer by the end of this month. The first single from the album "It's so..." has been given the remix treatment by none other than Bob Sinclar who's droppjng one bomb after another in recent months. With these mixes, he raises the bar again as the afro-influenced tribal rhythm is absolutely unbeatable, with the added vocal chants and synth lines augmenting the irresistible feeling. With vocal, dub and acapella mixes included, this is guaranteed to take the dancefloors by storm.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Justin Imperiale "Deeper than EP" (Cabana Records CD Promo)
The long awaited premiere release on Cabana Reords is finally here, courtesy of Justin Imperiale who presents a fantastic three tracker. First off is "Deeper than", a journey into jazzy late night house grooves featuring a marvellous sax by Marcos and keys by Jerome, with Esteban adding the percussion to this wonderful production that is spreading a mellow vibe. Next up is "Jazz-a-nova", a track that melts deep house with the raw energy of jazz-funk, featuring Dennis (the Dragon) on keys and Ian Fisher on guitar. Fresh and full of jazz-funk flavors - a track to dance to. Last but not least is "From above", a spiritual journey into soulful deep house grooves featuring a beautiful flute by Joni Love alongside sweet percussion and fantastic spacial keys. What a terrifc release!!
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
![]() |
Yes, we bring our Pour Le Connaisseur section back!! This was long overdue as there is more than just house and garage that attracts the real lover of soulful music. For the relaunch, we've choosen the brand new Bugz in the Attic longplayer "Back in the dog house" that is the boiled down brew of over 90 demos the Bugz have variously been working on together, individually, secretly and obsessively since they first met in the late 90's. The sixteen tracks on the album represent some of the most soul-drenched nu sound/broken beat grooves heard in a long time, featuring many experimental moments that make it stand out from the majority of releases. Also the dedication of the Bugz for the music distinguishes this album from the rest as they bring various musical dimensions together. Digital Downloads and sound samples are available at Dancetracks Digital. |
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
![]() |
This is already the second installement compiled by Joey Negro and Sean P that takes a look at the more r&b influenced end of disco of the late 70's and early 80's. It features productions from established artists such as Glady's Knight, Janice McClain or The Joneses as well as gritty urban sounds of New York, Philadelphia and Memphis by lesser known (or for those of us that did not have the enjoyment of being part of the disco era they might be unknown) artists. Nevertheless, this is a joyous collection offering lots of soulful disco treasures. |
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
![]() |
Soul Jazz release this beautiful retrospective of selected works from Osunlade's many productions an artists that he has worked with over the past 5 years, all of which have been released on his own Yoruba Records. From the first releases - all out of print and collectors items now - to the recent releases as well as numerous Yoruba Soul mixes, you'll find them on this double CD that holds twenty tracks that cover the deep, spiritual afro inspired soul and deep house sound of Osunlade. |
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Tiger Stripes "Missing you" (Slip'N'Slide Records CD Promo)
Mikael Nordgren under his Tiger Stripes disguise delivers another fantastic track that features seductive female vocals over a smooth afro tribal groove that is enriched with a beautiful instrumentation that gives the song a summery feeling. Mr. V delivers a set of incredible remixes that feature his trademark deep bassline grooves, wonderful keys and organ lines that create a great melodic vibe. These pumped up mixes will have everybody shakin' their limbs, with a dub that no one can resist to dance to as it is absolutely irresistible and groundbreaking.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Exclusive Preview: MKDVJC "Twisted" (Code Red Records CD-R)
"Twisted" is produced by the team of Master Kev, David 'Vibes' Tobon and John Crockett who bring us a track that is set to dominate the dancefloors in the coming months. What starts off with a simple yet very effective house beat, turns into an absolutely resistless floor shaker with slammin' drums and incredibly hot synth lines that create an irresistible athmosphere. Listen to it and let yourself be taken away into the outer space of dance music.
Raw Artistic Soul "Miami theme" / "Fela Brasil" (GoGo Music Records CD Promo)
Raw Artistic Soul follow up the list of successful releases on GoGo Music with this wonderful EP that features the incredible "Miami theme", a brass and guitar fueled instrumental track on jazz-funk tip that already gots lots of attention when it was included on the "Spring Collection 06". Now the story continues with two wonderful new mixes: Roberto De Carlo turns the track into a soulful house stomper that emphasis the jazz-funky elements of the production, while Ralf Gum delivers a crowd pleaser with his 'Sax Lick Dub' that brings the saxophone to full effect over an irresistibly bouncing backing groove that is enriched with wicked keys. Also included is "Fela Brasil", one of the highlights of Raw Artistic Soul's first album "What about love". This new version adds a whole new dimension to the song, giving it an uplifting summery feeling.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
UPZ "Rok da funk" (Camio Records CD Promo)
"Rok da funk" marks United People of Zion's first release on Camio Records, with a rap and spoken words provided Rasu of DKP. The track is inspired by the 70's funk by the likes of P-Funk or Sly & The Family Stone, with reminiscence to Bootsy Collins to be found in the inspirational vocal performance by Rasu. The 'Original Mix' is raw and deep funk with a sexy edge, featuring great horns and a jazzy piano while the 'Phunky Mix' is a souful house jam full of funky flavors like slap bass and funky guitar. Not to be missed is the UPZ' demo mix, a great alternate funk version. The package includes two phat remixes, with Reelsoul delivering a fantastic interpretation that features wonderful keys and great moog synths over a truly deep'n'funktified groove. On a different vibe comes the NJ Project (aka Nick Moss & Johnny Montana) reworking that turns the track into a laidback affair with its marvellous flute, jazzy piano and saxophone solos that are arranged beautifully over a smooth yet deep groove.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Nadirah Shakoor "Love song" (Yoruba Records CD Promo)
Yoruba's diva Nadirah Shakoor presents her new single "Love song" that is taken from ther upcoming full length release that is currently in production. Produced by Osunlade, "Love song" is a wonderful laidback song that features a marvellous sultry vocal performance over a sweet percussion filled soulful backing groove that is enriched with a great instrumentation. The 'Yoruba Soul Dub' is an irresistible affair based on a deeply rumblin' groove. The remixes are courtesy of Frankie Feliciano and Bahsonik with both of them providing fantastic renditions. A wonderful release!! Exclusive digital downloads available at Dancetracks Digital.
- Details
- Written by: Mike Fossati
Picks of the Week
Kim English "Missing you" (Remixes)(Litmus Records CD Promo)
This is one of two remix packages of classic Kim English tracks (the other one is the Scott Wozniak remix of "Ces't la vie" on Nervous Records). A&G Project provide a groovy reworking that features sweet percussion and comes with a funky edge thanks to the deeply rumblin' bassline, with the melodic keys and sensual vocals adding the soulful flavors. Richard Earnshaw's interpretations are on a bouncy tip, featuring an irresistible backing groove that is enriched with wonderful harmonic keys. While the vocal version is a soulful and sexy affair, the instrumental puts the keys centerstage, letting them create a more hypnotic feeling.